It was an honor to join my colleagues and to begin another term at the State Capitol as we kicked off the 2025 legislative session in Hartford. I am very thankful to serve once again as your state representative in Waterbury. Opening Day at the Capitol symbolizes a renewed commitment to serving our community with dedication, integrity, and purpose.
As a Deputy Speaker of the House Pro-Tempore, I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues to address the challenges ahead and create meaningful progress for the people of Connecticut. We have plenty of work to do.
Connecticut is proud to be home to some of the best schools in the country, reflecting our commitment to quality education and the future of our children. However, we also face the challenge of managing some of the highest costs per student, which places a significant burden on local budgets and taxpayers.
As we work on the new state budget, it is crucial to stay on track with our bipartisan plan to increase Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding. This investment ensures that all students, regardless of their zip code, have access to the resources they need to thrive. By continuing to build equity in our funding system, we can support school districts more effectively, alleviate pressure on local property taxes, and empower our educators to deliver the excellence Connecticut is known for.
We have made meaningful progress in expanding affordable housing across Connecticut with developments of new housing projects in Waterbury and other communities. This movement is vital to address the housing shortage, supporting economic growth, and ensuring that everyone has access to a safe place to live. But the current permitting process creates unnecessary delays to meet the growing demand for housing.
We must streamline and modernize the permitting process while maintaining oversight and environmental protections. By doing so, we can reduce barriers to construction, save valuable resources, and get housing built faster where it is needed most.
Governor Ned Lamont reiterated that message in his State of the State Address, but before delivering his message, it was my honor to officially invite Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and the Connecticut Senate to the house chamber. We must work together to achieve all of our goals!
House chamber prepares to receive the State Senate.
I would not be able to participate in this important legislative work without the unwavering support of my wife Hilda and my family. Together, they have been my foundation and strength, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them by my side. We recently suffered a loss with the passing of my mother-in-law, the late Mrs. Crimilda Padua Pérez. We are grateful for your thoughtfulness and compassion shown to our family.
Thank you to everyone who offered their condolences
after the passing of my wonderful mother-in-law.
As we move forward in the legislative session, you should know it's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.
Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:
The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and their staff. Part of their duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. Click here to check out their website.
You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website.
Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates.
You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress.
Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.